I Corinthians 14:1-19
Paul was not present at the first Pentecost celebration. Otherwise he might have referenced that day when …suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. (Acts 2:2-4) In today’s reading Paul is not dismissing or diminishing the gift of tongues – he simply wants to put that gift “in its place”. Personally he lauds the gift of tongues: Now I want you all to speak in tongues… [and] I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. (vv. 5, 18) But more than the gift of tongues, Paul is all about “building up the church”. (v. 12b)
The one who speaks in a tongue edifies himself… (v. 4, NASB; the ESV has “builds himself up” in place of “edifies himself”). My Study Bible explains this verse in these words: “This edification does not involve the mind, since the speaker does not understand what he has said. It is a personal edification in the area of the emotions, of deepening conviction, of fuller commitment and greater love.” Someone in our Men’s Group asked me a few weeks ago what it felt like to speak in tongues. I gave some response, whatever I said, but this explanation from my Study Bible seems to sum up for me the emotion that is the gift of tongues. I can attest to the “deepening conviction” and the “fuller commitment”, and I have to trust that the “greater love” has followed. I certainly know that “greater love” was there the first time I spoke (prayed) I tongues!! But that’s another story!
See also: May 10 / I Cor. 14:1-12; May 11 / I Cor. 14:13-25